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Published By Your City Hall |
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Celebrating the Improvement of Another Front Street Commercial Property
Anyone living in or around the Coos Bay community for as long as I have will remember when the former Marshfield Bargain House, which later transitioned to Marshfield Mercantile at 790 N Bayshore Drive, between Bayshore Drive and Front Street. Marshfield Bargain House / Marshfield Mercantile was a thriving business in the Front Street area for many decades. I have come to realize over the years that even the best businesses will come and go. Some as a result to the ever-changing economy or market conditions and others when business owners move on to new adventures.
A little over eighteen months ago Dani and Rick Stevens opened their new business, Real Deals in the front half of the former Marshfield Bargain House building. They later purchased the building and adjacent property from its former owner.
 On June 7 of this year, Rick Stevens appeared before the Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency and shared his vision for redeveloping the back half of the building and the adjacent undeveloped property. His vision included developing a permanent place for food trucks alongside his building. This would require paving of the lot, installing the necessary power and water pedestals for each food truck, along with installing attractive wrought iron fencing. In addition, he proposed redeveloping the back half of the building abutting Front Street to provide additional indoor seating, restrooms, and a beverage station.
 Phase one of the project, the creation of a food truck hub, has been completed. There are currently four food trucks at the location with more expected: SweetHeart Waffle Truck, Yoda’s Hut, Elkhorn BBQ & Food Truck and 101 Taco Truck. Rick’s new business is appropriately named Front Street Food Trucks. Phase two of the project is underway and expected to be completed in late December or early January.
-Joe Benetti, Coos Bay Mayor
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 On Friday, November 25, the community will observe the 20th anniversary of one of the darkest times in Coos Bay history. On the morning of November 25, 2002, a fire was reported in the Far West Truck and Auto Supply store. Firefighters were battling the blaze when the roof collapsed, killing Fire Captain Randy Carpenter, and Volunteer Firefighters Chuck Hanners, and Jeff Common.
To honor the sacrifice made by these courageous men, the Coos Bay Fire Department has organized a remembrance service for this milestone anniversary. The service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday November 25 at the Firefighter’s Memorial Plaza, near the intersection of Fourth Street and Central Avenue. This ceremony will be open to the public. As requested by the families of the fallen, the focus will be on the legacy left by these firefighters and resilience in the face of tragedy.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving and the holiday season with family and friends, the Fire Department would ask that you take a moment to remember those that have been called to the military or public service and their contribution to our community.
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Stay Safe in the Kitchen This Holiday
The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, and Oregon families will be coming together for a time of celebration. The hours spent in the kitchen preparing turkey, mashed potatoes, pies, and all the other fixings, however, comes with an increased risk for household fires. In 2021, cooking was the number one cause of residential structure fires in Oregon, making up 20 percent of all residential fires. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe in the kitchen this holiday season.
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Safety tips to remember when cooking:
- Keep an eye on what you’re cooking- don’t leave cooking unattended.
- Keep your cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (potholders, food packaging, towels, etc.) and wipe up surface spills.
- Create a three-foot kid and pet-free zone around the stove.
- Older children should only cook with permission and under the supervision of an adult.
- Have a lid or cookie sheet within reach while cooking (to smother flames) in case of a fire.
Safety tips for if a cooking fire does start:
- Put a lid on it! Slide a lid over the pan (from the side) and then turn off the burner.
- Don’t move the pan until the fire is completely extinguished and cooled, and don’t try to transfer the pan to the sink.
If you cannot extinguish the fire:
- Get you and your family safely out of the house.
- If you can, close doors as you are escaping, to help contain the fire.
- Call 911 from a safe place (outside).
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Library Offers Fridge of Fresh Produce
 The Coos Bay Public Library has partnered with South Coast Food Share (SCFS) and The Beet Food Systems Consortium to make healthy produce more accessible to members of the Coos Bay community. SCFS is supporting this project by providing the fridge and The Beet is funding our food and operational costs. Coos Bay Public Library patrons can obtain fresh produce six days a week during the Library’s open hours.
You might ask, “For Who?” The answer is YOU! Everyone who enters the Library will be eligible for free produce after being asked a few questions (name, address, number of people in household) that will only be used for statistics. We will not share your personal information.
During the pandemic, the USDA increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by 15%, about $27 per person, via an Emergency Allotment (EA). The USDA has granted extensions to certain states, including Oregon, through November. In anticipation of the EA going away, the Library is excited to be part of the solution as locals shift from using their SNAP benefits at stores and markets to using food pantries and other programs like the Coos Bay Public Library Community Fridge! Come and visit us at the Library for some free produce and please, if possible, help us keep this program sustainable by bringing your own bag.
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Coos Bay Housing Production Strategy
 Consistent with State law, the Coos Bay City Council initiated preparation of a Housing Production Strategy (HPS) to identify and expand options for Coos Bay housing opportunities for Coos Bay households of all income levels. The HPS will outline the City’s intentions to ensure or incentivize ways to produce housing identified in the City’s 2020 Housing Needs Analysis (HNA).
The City is reaching out to the community requesting participation in the preparation of the Housing Production Strategy. The City seeks your suggestions and comments through participation in public hearings or by providing your comments by email, phone or the US mail to Carolyn Johnson at 541-252-2861 or cjohnson@coosbay.org. Mailed can be received at City Hall at: City of Coos Bay Public Works and Community Development Department, 500 Central Ave, Coos Bay Oregon 97420; Attention: Carolyn Johnson / Housing Production Strategy.
The first public meeting on the HPS will be held by the Planning Commission Tuesday, December 13, at 6 p.m. at Coos Bay City Hall, located at 500 Central Ave in Coos Bay. You can review the draft Background Report for this first public meeting on Friday December 9, 2022 by 5 p.m. It will be posted at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/agendas-and-minutes.
Future public hearings with the Planning Commission and Council will be announced in the coming months with Council action on the HPS anticipated in late spring of 2023.
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The City of Coos Bay is seeking a volunteer to a fill position on the Parks Commission. Applications are available from the City Manager’s Office at City Hall, requesting via email at administration@coosbay.org, or on the City’s website at www.coosbay.org. Applications will be accepted in the City Manager’s Office through 5 p.m. on November 25, 2022. Applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews with the City Council, potentially at the December 6, 2022, City Council meeting.
About the Parks Commission
The Parks Commission is comprised of one City Councilor, one Planning Commissioner, and remaining positions are filled by interested persons. Membership, if possible, should include a landscape design professional, landscaping business professional, design professional, and parks management professional. Applications must be a resident of the City of Coos Bay or own property in the City. The Parks Commission meets once a month, although during the winter months, commission meetings may not be held if there is not business before the commission. There is currently one vacant position on the Parks Commission.
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Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students
For the next four years, all students attending school in Coos Bay School District will receive free breakfast and lunch.
Janine Leep, the director of Nutrition Services for the district, reported the entire district qualified for free breakfast and lunch through the states Community Eligibility Program.
“CEP is a program ODE has that allows us to feed the children in the community for free,” Leep said. Leep continued that district has been borderline for the CEP qualification for some time, with only certain schools eligible in the past. But with the ruling last month, every student at every school will now qualify for free food while at school.
For the full article, visit https://www.cbd9.net/apps/news/article/1688244
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Final Free Fishing Weekend for 2022
 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has one more Free Fishing Weekend scheduled for 2022.On Thanksgiving Weekend, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26 you don’t need a license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in Oregon. That’s no license, no tag, no endorsement needed. ODFW reminds you that all area closures, bag limits and all other regulations still apply.
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Fall Mushroom Identification Workshop
 Discover the world of mushrooms with local expert John Schaefer on Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Learn how to identify at least 15 local mushroom species and techniques for mushroom hunting. This workshop takes place indoors and along trails, so please dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking shoes. Please bring a basket and knife for collecting. Pre-registration is required (Max-20 participants, $20 per person).There is a 48-hour cancellation policy to receive a full refund. Meet at the South Slough Visitors Center, 61907 Seven Devils Road, Coos Bay. Programs may be cancelled due to low enrollment or hazardous weather. For questions, contact the South Slough Estuary Reserve at 541-888-5558, ext. 121.
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Holiday Support for Local Businesses
 Join the Coos Bay Downtown Association's (CBDA) businesses in participating in the annual Shop Small Saturday on November 26. This is a national event, that is held locally as well, encourages shoppers to support their neighborhood businesses and to embrace the day as a holiday shopping tradition. Start saving your receipts through November 26 from purchases made Downtown, Front Street and Coos Bay Village. Turn in those receipts totaling $100 to Jennie's Shoes - 262 Central Avenue for a commemorative Marshfield District mug from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. while supplies last. For the full press release and more information go here https://coosbaydowntown.org/2022/11/shop-small-saturday-coos-bay/. We hope to see you there!
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Downtown Prepares for Santa
 The Friday after Thanksgiving, November 25, the Coos Bay Downtown Association (CBDA) will welcome Santa in Coos Bay. Santa will join Mayor Joe Benetti to light the Coos Bay Christmas tree at the Coos Bay Visitors Center. Festivities begin at the Visitor’s Center around 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25 with music from Bi-Coastal Media and Christmas carols while waiting for Santa to arrive.
Santa is scheduled to arrive at the Visitors Center around 5:30 p.m. where the crowd will greet him and help with the annual Christmas Tree lighting with Mayor Benetti. Apple cider will be provided courtesy of Farr’s True Value and cookies courtesy of Banner Bank.
From the Visitors Center, follow Santa over to the Egyptian Theatre for a photo opportunity with the kids around 6 p.m. A free showing of “Elf” the movie with start around 7:15 p.m. Visits with Santa and Friday’s showing of the “Elf” are sponsored by Banner Bank, New Horizons, South Coast Family Dentistry and Bi-Coastal Media. All who attend are asked to bring at least one pair of new socks rolled up to be tossed at the movie screen during the snowball fight scene. All socks will be collected and donated to local homeless shelters.
You can catch a second showing of “Elf” and participate in the Sockball Fight, free of charge, on Saturday, November 26. Santa visits begin at 12:30 p.m. and go until 2 p.m., the movie will follow at 2 p.m. Santa heads back to his workshop but there will be a third free showing of “Elf” at 7 p.m. on Saturday the 26.
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CBFD Helps Light Up the Holidays
 On November 12, the Coos Bay Fire Department (CBFD) volunteered at Shore Acres State Park in preparation for their Holiday Lights display. With the exception of the last couple years when the Holiday Lights were canceled due to the pandemic, CBFD staff have been responsible for stringing the lights on the gardener’s house. The CBFD will also be serving as host at the park to visitors on Saturday, December 17.
The seven-acre botanical gardens and Japanese lily pond are adorned with over 325,000 LED multi-colored lights and lighted features. The holiday light display will light up the park from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night, starting Thanksgiving Day through December 31.
This year, in an effort to decrease long wait times and backed-up traffic conditions, Holiday Lights visitation will be through a timed reservation system.
Entry into the lights is Free, but you must pay the $5 parking fee per vehicle to park at Shore Acres for the Event - in advance this year.
- Pick your day/time to visit - note that half of the parking tickets will be sold in advance with the rest available within seven days of entry
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Visit the OPRD website to book your time
- Pay the $5 fee per vehicle
- Print your pass - you must bring the pass with you to enter the park
- Have more questions? Call 541-888-3778, the local State Parks office.
You will NOT be able to purchase entry tickets at the gate this year. You must do this in advance. If you have an annual park pass, the Oregon Pacific Coast Passport, a current OR State Park camping confirmation that coincides with the date of event visit, or a special access pass, the $5 parking fee will be waived. You still must book ONLINE!! You will need to present your event parking pass AND your special pass at the gate.
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Planner I
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of full-time Planner I. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or by email at administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at administration@coosbay.org or on the City’s website at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/job-openings. This job will be opened until filled. To be considered for first application review, submit complete application by December 5, 2022 at 5 p.m. For full announcement and application packet, click button below.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Codes/Planning Specialist
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of full-time Codes/Planning Specialist. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or by email at administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at administration@coosbay.org or on the City’s website at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/job-openings. Deadline for receiving completed applications is 5 p.m., December 8, 2022. For full announcement and application packet, click button below.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Engineering Services Coordinator
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of Engineering Services Coordinator. The City may consider underfilling this position with an Engineering Technician (Monthly salary range $4,197-$5,235). To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, request by email to administration@coosbay.org, or listed under Government, Job Openings on the City’s website www.coosbay.org. This position will be opened until filled. The first review of completed applications is November 15, 2022. For full announcement and application packet, click button below.
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